Spin-orbit coupling induced splitting of Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states in antiferromagnetic dimers

Philip Beck, Lucas Schneider, Levente Rózsa (), Krisztián Palotás, András Lászlóffy, László Szunyogh, Jens Wiebe () and Roland Wiesendanger
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Philip Beck: University of Hamburg
Lucas Schneider: University of Hamburg
Levente Rózsa: University of Konstanz
Krisztián Palotás: Wigner Research Center for Physics
András Lászlóffy: Wigner Research Center for Physics
László Szunyogh: Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Jens Wiebe: University of Hamburg
Roland Wiesendanger: University of Hamburg

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Magnetic atoms coupled to the Cooper pairs of a superconductor induce Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states (in short Shiba states). In the presence of sufficiently strong spin-orbit coupling, the bands formed by hybridization of the Shiba states in ensembles of such atoms can support low-dimensional topological superconductivity with Majorana bound states localized on the ensembles’ edges. Yet, the role of spin-orbit coupling for the hybridization of Shiba states in dimers of magnetic atoms, the building blocks for such systems, is largely unexplored. Here, we reveal the evolution of hybridized multi-orbital Shiba states from a single Mn adatom to artificially constructed ferromagnetically and antiferromagnetically coupled Mn dimers placed on a Nb(110) surface. Upon dimer formation, the atomic Shiba orbitals split for both types of magnetic alignment. Our theoretical calculations attribute the unexpected splitting in antiferromagnetic dimers to spin-orbit coupling and broken inversion symmetry at the surface. Our observations point out the relevance of previously unconsidered factors on the formation of Shiba bands and their topological classification.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22261-6

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